Fever and Flu

Battling with a fever of 39 degrees, a terrible runny nose, cough and a sore throat... And I asked my hubby if it was possible that I had MERS. You know, flu like symptoms, high fever, and a dose of paranoia. He replied, but you have no contact with middle eastern people, nor have you travelled. Okay, true that. Haha.

Avoided my baby girl like a plague the whole of today. She tried umpteen times to sit on my lap, lie on me, get me to read to her. I couldn't pat her to bed either.. She kept calling mama so many times today, and fell asleep holding onto my hand.

My little sweetie pie! You melt my heart as always... Hopefully I'll get better and we can go have fun tomorrow!

The Day My Baby Arrived

It all happened in the morning at 9.47am when I suddenly felt pain in my stomach. So I went to the washroom, thinking that it was a tummyache. It was then when everything happened at the same time. My water bag burst and gushes of water flowed out. I was also bleeding, and had a 'show'. A few seconds later, I was hit with contractions and could feel the pain coming in incessantly.

Excited, I hurried to call my husband to let him know that today was going to be the day. Then I called the clinic to say that my water bag had burst. But since I was still able to talk coherently and the contractions weren't too intense yet, the receptionist scheduled for me to meet my gynae at 2pm.

So having another 5 hours to go, I decided that I would take a nap. I put on a sanitary pad and tried to get some rest. But a few mins later, a next gush of fluid came and soaked up the pad in no time. Instead of worrying of dirtying my bed, I decided to take a bath, shampoo my hair, since I figured I probably won't be allowed to wash my hair for the next few days. It was then the contractions intensified all of a sudden, and the time lapse between each contraction shortened.

After my bath, I called my husband and told him to come home immediately as delivery might happen soon. Quickly, I looked through my hospital bag again, and added in some clothes for the hubby. At about 11am, we left for Gleneagles.

In the car, I called the clinic to say that the contractions had intensified and I was in pain. My gynae, Dr Irene Chua, once told me that the pain must come at least once every 10-15 mins, and the pain must be so great that I find difficulty in talking. And that was exactly how I was feeling! The receptionist quickly arranged for the doctor to see me before 12nn, as she had a surgery after that.

By the time I reached Gleneagles, my pad was soaked through and my shorts were also wet with the fluid from the water bag. Dr Chua saw me and admitted me into the delivery ward immediately as I was already 3cm dilated. At that time, she estimated the baby to arrive in 7 hours time.

By 1.30pm, my contractions were coming in to one in every two minutes. But the epidural wasn't really working yet as I still felt alot of pain.We got the nurses to up the dosage, and they also started with the oxytocin.

Dr Chua came in at 1.51pm to check on me, and I was already 6cm to 7cm dilated. Things were moving along fast, and Hayley might come sooner than expected, in probably 2 to 3 hours!

I tried to sleep some while waiting to be 10cm dilated. All the while, I was struggling with some discomfort here and there because labour was fast but the epidural took some time to kick in.

At 3 plus, I started my first round of pushing with the nurse's help. All we had to do was to push till we saw Hayley's head. It took only about 10 minutes. After that, it was time to call Dr Chua in for the final pushes.

Hubby and I took the opportunity to pray for a smooth delivery, no complications, and prayerfully no need for the use of instruments like forceps nor vacuum. We also prayed that baby will not be in distress and would come out easily, within 30 mins. 

Dr Chua came in soon after and we got ready for the final lap. All it took was 3 big pushes, and 15 minutes later, Hayley was born! 

Hello, beautiful baby... I still can't believe you came out of me! :)

We are thankful to God, because I prayed that I would not bleed on the bed, nor will my water burst on the bed. Haha, I'm a little obsessive about cleanliness. So when everything happened in the toilet, it was really the grace of God! It was such smooth and fast delivery as well, and it happened on my off day. God is sooo good!

Price List

Here's a list of the things that I bought in preparation for my baby. Hope this helps you budget and plan for your shopping too! :)

Baby Fair at Expo:
Playpen Mattress: $99
Mattress Cover: $21+$22+$21
Waterproof Mattress Cover: $22.50
Baby Sleep Positioner: $25

Gleneagles:
My Breast Friend Pillow: $78
Wombie: $53.90+$49.90

Cold Storage:
Huggies Ultra Newborn: $6.95
Huggies Ultra (S, 40s): $13.65
Merries (S, 54s): $18.95
Kirei Anti-Bacterial Handwash: $5.85
Lock and Lock Air Tight Container: $10.20

Robinsons:
Joie Car Stages: $299

Kiddy Palace:
First Month Romper Dresses: $17.01 + 26.91 + 30.51
Pigeon Cotton Swabs: $3.60
Pigeon Breast Milk Storage Bags: $14.31
Kiddy Palace Membership Card: $10
Tollyjoy Disposable Breast Pads: $7.90
Tollyjoy Accessories and Vegetable Liquid Cleanser: $9.90
Pigeon Baby Wipes (82 x 3): $10.50
Avent Baby Bottom Balm: $12
Pigeon Baby 2 in 1 wash: $11.90
Pigeon Baby Lotion: $13.90
Baby Powder Box + Puff: $3.51
Baby Clipper: $3.24
Avent Nipple Cream: $19.80
Bath Towels: $10.90 + $9.90 + $9.90
Kodomo Baby Softener: $5.90
Kodomo Laundry Detergent 2L: $17.95
Medela Breast Pumps: $699

Takashimaya Baby Fair:
Motorola Baby Monitor: $100
Graco Pack and Play: $199
Aden and Anais Swaddle: $55.92
Safety First Bath Tub Infant Mat: $16.90

Shen Kwong Trading: $44
Mittens And Sock x 4 pairs
Pyjamas Tops with Buttons and Long Pants x 6 sets
Square Hankies x 12pcs
Hat x 1pc

Toyogo Warehouse at Toa Payoh:

5 Tier Cupboard: $70

Baby Fair at Suntec: $96

Avent Bottles Set (Includes 4 bottles)

Hooded Towels x 2pcs

Rompers x 3pcs

Although it was expensive getting all the baby items, but it sure was fun shopping for baby. We got all excited and expectant for baby to arrive! :)

Stores To Get Baby Stuff

For expecting mummies, here's a compiled hospital checklist and shopping list that I did up for baby Hayley. I intended to go to all these places, but it ended up that I didn't have enough time. So I only went to Shen Kwong, Kiddy Palace and Mothercare. Turns out that Baby Hyperstore was at a baby fair that I visited too.

1. Shen Kwong Trading Co.

Blk 269 Queen Street #01-246 Singapore 183269

Tel: 6338 3260

Opens 9.00am – 6.00pm. Closed on Sun & Public Holidays

2. Cheong Choon Store

http://www.cheongchoon.com/

Blk 34 Upper Cross Street #03-132 Singapore 050034

Tel: 65323855

Opens after 1.30pm. Closed on Sun.

3. Baby Kingdom

http://babykingdom.com.sg/

83 Kaki Bukit Ave 1 Shun Li Industrial Park Singapore 417954

Tel: 6547 1677 

Fax: +65 6547 1805

Opens Monday - Saturday (10am to 9pm), Sunday & Public Holiday (10am to 7pm)

4. Baby Hyperstore

69 Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 Shun Li Industrial Park Singapore 417947

Tel: 68441188

Opens 9.00am – 6.00pm. Closed on Sun & Public Holidays

5. Mothercare

http://www.mothercare.com.sg/

Biggest stores at at Marina Square and Toa Payoh Hub

Check out their store listing online

Hospital Checklist

Shopping List For Baby

Really, if you ask me, you can get pretty much everything from Kiddy Palace. Join as a member for an additional 10% discount! And you should probably check out baby fairs at Expo and Suntec, and Takashimaya for their annual fairs. Great deals!

Fetal Movement Chart

When I entered into week 34 of pregnancy, I began counting the fetal movements of baby Hayley. Perhaps because I got easily tired then and not as conscious of the kicks as before, I brought it up to my doctor that baby seemed to be moving lesser. As such, she got me counting the movements of baby.

Having done some research, it seems that there are many ways to count fetal movements. The method that my gynae got me to use, was ten movements within a 12 hour period. I was to count one movement in each half an hour period, and even though I felt multiple kicks within the half hour frame, I could only count it as one kick.

I came up with a customized chart as I tend to sleep later than most mothers. The chart starts from 8am to 3am. So you can use any 12-hour period for counting purposes. I'm uploading the jpeg image of the chart, in case anyone needs it. Enjoy counting those movements together with your little one!

Fetal Movement Chart

The Bulbous Nose

Not too long ago, I was discussing with some mummy friends of mine about the effects of pregnancy, but in an oh-so-superficial way... Our noses!

You know how when you read parenting magazines, and pictures of mummies-to-be all look amazing with the pregnancy glow? Or when you browse through the "Top Stories" of your FB page, your friends who are pregnant look gorgeous even with a bump?

I'm so jealous! 

Because for much of my pregnancy, I'm stuck with a bulbous nose... 

I have had many friends come up to me to say that my facial features have changed during pregnancy. And then there was those that said I looked so tired and ready to give birth anytime even though I'm far from my EDD. The straw that broke the camel's back was probably an acquaintance whom I haven't met with for at least 4 years, saying that I look really different from the past. Last night I got so frustrated after staring in the mirror, that I spent some time researching on an enlarged nose during pregnancy.

Here's what I found in summary...

Nose Spreads

Rhinitis of Pregnancy ('wide nose") is common during pregnancy and caused by elevated estrogen levels which cause the mucus linings to thicken and excess fluid retention and weight gain. Many woman are aware of nose congestion during pregnancy, but 'nose spreading' is also very common. It was an old wives tale that stated that if you're having a girl, your nose will widen. But scientific data now suggests that changes to the nose can occur despite the sex of your unborn baby.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to fix this issue during pregnancy but there is light at the end of the tunnel after you've delivered. Just like any part of the body, large weight fluctuations can result in the underlying support, if the body doesn't heal or recover properly post-pregnancy. Most noses return to normal size and permanent nasal changes are quite rare post-pregnancy.

http://www.examiner.com/article/beauty-effects-of-pregnancy-what-women-hardly-talk-about

Funny that the Caucasians say that a widened nose suggests a baby girl!

For the Asians, at least those who approached me, guessed that I was having a boy because of my nose.

By the way, nothing can be done to fix the issue, you just have to wait to have your body and face back to normal after delivery. My sister-in-law says that she lost her swollen nose within two days. I lost my bulbous nose in a week or so. Hopefully when I have my second baby, no bulbous nose for me!

Mummies reading, do you face this problem as well?

Hello There

You know how when we come to the start of a brand new year, we will set resolutions to follow through the year... Well, this is mine.

Hello there, let me introduce myself a little. You can call me Zhen, which is by the way, a Chinese name. In case you're wondering, no, I'm in no way zen. Far from it in fact, made worse now by the anxiety of being a first time mom! I digress.. which is something that I would probably do so pretty often, as you would realise, haha.

I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Hayley, in March last year. She's pretty amazing. The babe gets excited at everything I do. She's easily tickled by my silly antics (monkey faces and such). She loves to sleep and read and eat (which are pretty much the very same things I love to do too). She loves hugs and bath times and looking out of windows and pressing the door bell and pulling my hair... I could go on forever,

I am starting this blog in hope that I can be faithful in documenting the journeys and thoughts I have in motherhood. Plus it would be a great place for Hayley to read all about her childhood. To be very honest, another reason I started this is in hope that I can hear advices from other mums too. What they feed their kids with, what activities they do, and have an online place where we can share our lives. Perhaps my blog will help out other first time moms like myself who are working full time, and are very much dependent on having a helper to take care of their babies.

You know what they say about resolutions... More often than not, we lose our resolve. Okay, I was the one who said that, but hey, one can always hope! So here goes...

My very first post :)